Clay

Richard, I don't invert the handle in my hand, I hold it the same way and just turn my wrist to use the other end of the knife. This is done mainly for skiving or cutting the corner off of an edge. Paul shows how he does this at 3:14 into the video. The pull cut is great when cuting out of a tight corner or cutting long straps. Clay Miller

I have one of LeatherWranglers new round knives and it is THE knife I use now. It holds an edge better than any of the other knifes I have had. It cuts, skives, juliennes, and dices! The pull cut is very helpful, though I did have to change the way I hold my hands when I use Paul's knife, on other knives I would use my thumb from the hand not holding the knife to help push the back of the blade. Don't want to do that with Paul's knife! The curve of the handle is great, makes for a better feel and is easier to control when cutting. The knife is worth the price in the time it will save in not having to strop it as often. Paul is a good friend of mine and I highly reccomend his tools! Clay Miller

Lol I just can not get pictures to work right, Last time they were too big now they are grainy. Let me know if these are better.

I wanted to share some pictures of a saddle that my friend Wes Mastic made for another friend of mine Elliot Kammerer. It is a beautiful saddle. I got to see it, before it was finished, a few weeks ago when I was back in Rapid for a visit. Wes is a true artist. Clay Miller

Thanks and thanks!!

Jim Linnell is coming to Austin next week for a class on figure carving. I got the list of tools and stamps needed for the class and because I don't do a lot of figure carving there are several of the stamps that I did not have. I decided that since I have been making a few floral carving stamps I would try my hand at these. I borrowed some and looked at pictures of others online and this is what I came up with. They still need have the handles knurled and the ends polished, but I think they will work. Clay Miller

Paula is an amazing leathersmith, her work is on the same level as any of the famous masters. I wish I could have spent more time learning from her when I lived in Seattle. Soak up as much as you can from her! Clay

Does that strong little aussie happen to be Paula? Tell her Hi from Clay M. Clay

Hi all, I am going to be flying in a few weeks back to Rapid City to visit and I am going to be teaching a leather craft class while I am there. I purchased a lockable tool case with a foam pat that keeps the tools inside from shifting around. My question is has any one else ever flown with their tools? and what if any issues came up with the airlines? I am not going to be taking any of my favorite tools, or anything that has a sharp edge. Thanks, Clay Miller

Take a look at this post, http://leatherworker...=1 It is on turning leather on a lathe and has some good info. Clay Miller

Another beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing your work it always inspires me to do better. Clay Miller

Hi all, Found some more stuff that I want to sell. 14 handmade leathercraft stamps, 4 bevelers, 3 seeders, 6 geometric, and 1 veiner. These are one of a kind stamps. I don't know who made them or where they originated from or how old they are. If you are interested please send me a pm with a serious offer. Trades will be considered. If no one wants them I will be putting them on ebay next week. Thanks Clay Miller

Knives are sold.

Hi all, I have two Henley 1/2 inch barrel swivel knives and four blades, three 1/4 angle and one 3/8 straight, for sale. I am asking $70 each for the barrels and $25 each for the blades if they are sold seperately. If you want to buy the whole lot send me a PM and we can haggle over the price. Shipping will be $7.00. Today is Friday Aug 10, if no one responds by Monday I will be putting these up on e-bay. I am going to the Wichita Falls show and can deliver to you there if needed. Thanks, Clay Miller

Mike, I found this maybe it can give you something to help you find more information. Karung (also called Ayers) snakeskin is from Acrochordus javanicus. This snake is known as the Java file, or elephant trunk snake and inhabits shallow tropical freshwater lagoons and streams in SE Asia. It is non-venomous and eats fish and eels. An adult Java file can reach 7-8 feet in length. It has really loose skin and a flattened tail for swimming. Clay Miller

Bruce, Having a stamping bench with a big area to stamp on is sure nice. Making it yourself is an added bonus. It looks great. Clay Miller

Fredo, From the picture it looks like you have the face of your beveler tilted a bit. When it is tilted it will go deeper into the leather on the side that is tilted towards. That is what caused the tool marks. Keep the tool straight up and hold it comfortably. The other thing that you could be doing is pushing the tool downward on the leather as you are tooling this causes the tool to catch on the leather as you move it along the cut. Try holding it a hair off of the surface of the leather, this will take some practice but keep it up and you will have it down in not time. Clay Miller

I think you could use a small modeling spoon to get into those tight areas. ClayM.

Ed, That is a stunning display of craftmanship. The bird is way cool too! ClayM.

Another update on the stamps. Thank you to those that have made purchases. The stamps available are as follows, 13 small smooth flower centers, 13 medium smooth flower centers, 7 large smooth flower centers, 3 x-large smooth flower centers, 3 medium smooth bevelers, 1 small smooth beveler, 2 smooth pointed bevelers, 2 checkered pointed bevelers, 3 large checkered bevelers, 2 medium checkered bevelers, and 3 small checkered bevelers. Thanks, ClayM.

Sorry not to have answered sooner, The bevelers are turned on a lathe, then rough shaped on the grinder and then hand filed and hand checkered. Then they are polished and the knurling is done. They are made from stainless steel bolts. Thanks for looking, ClayM.